In December of last year, Christa Parker set out on a mission to make Wreaths Across America fully operational at Bridgeport Cemetery by Christmas 2016. The focus of the national program is to place a decorated pine wreath on the grave of each U.S. veteran during the holiday season.  

 

Parker, the mother of Bridgeport High School alum, the late Private First Class Garrett Craig Parker, knew she had her work cut out for her. But it was very important to her that every soldier be recognized as a hero and that he or she be remembered at Christmas; that not even one be left out. 

 

To make sure that didn’t happen, she and her daughter Jenn Hathaway spent much time over the past five months walking grave to grave and recording pertinent information.

 

According to the flags that the local Boy Scout troop places in the cemetery each Veterans Day, Parker said they believed there were more than 2,000 veteran graves at Bridgeport Cemetery.  With that as their starting point, the women took a section at a time, walking up and down each row and reading every grave marker. 

 

“Our total from walking the cemetery was 1,288, but the count is going up,” Parker said. “We’ve started going through the files and reading obituaries since not all veterans have the military marker.” 

 

With the task of identifying every U.S. soldier’s grave well under way, the next phase of the project has begun. Parker, Hathaway and the rest of Garrett’s family encourage members of the community to consider enlisting as a volunteer. 

 

There are a couple ways to get involved. 

 

One way is to commit to purchase one or more wreaths. That can be done by visiting the local Wreaths Across America Web site. 

 

“Nov. 28, 2016 is the last day to order and donate wreaths,” Parker said. “That means we have 66 days to get more than 2,000 wreaths. Let’s make this happen.” 

 

Parker and her team also need commitment from community members to physically help load, transport and place the wreaths, as well as remove them from the cemetery after the holiday season. 

 

The wreaths will be laid on the graves Dec. 17, 2016. 

 

“If anyone has a veteran buried at the Bridgeport Cemetery and would like to lay the wreath themselves, after they buy their wreath, it is important to let me know,” Parker said. “At the ceremony, we will be calling those veterans’ names and a soldier will be handing that wreath to the family.” 

 

A couple days before the laying of the wreaths, manpower will be needed to unload a semi which will arrive in Grafton near the West Virginia National Cemetery, and thereafter to transport the wreaths to Bridgeport. 

 

To date, 20 wreaths have been purchased and donated. 

 

‘I have it set up through Wreaths Across America that every two someone buys, we get one free,” Parker said. 

 

It is of utmost importance, she said, to make sure purchasers who want their wreaths to go to Bridgeport Cemetery indicate that by using the code WVTBCB. 

 

If no code is entered, the wreaths will be sent to Arlington National Cemetery, she said.

 

About 18 volunteers have signed up to physically help carry out the project. There are 30 sections in the cemetery and a couple of the sections will require more than one volunteer, Parker said. 

 

In addition to individuals and families, it would be ideal for scout troops and civic groups to get involved. 

 

“I have a few phone numbers for Boy Scout/Cub Scout leaders and will be calling them to get the boys involved and maybe help earn their community badge,” Parker said. “I would like to see some Girl Scouts participate also.” 

 

Businesses are also invited to help. Wreath purchases are tax deductible.

 

Parker asks that residents of the Bridgeport community and area join her and her family in remembering and honoring our U.S. veterans – and to teach the future generations to do the same – by enrolling to help with the Bridgeport, West Virginia Wreaths Across America program. 

 

“It is important for our community to come together and show our gratitude for what these men and women have sacrificed for our freedom,” Parker said. 

 

Another way to help is to like and share the project’s Facebook page. It can be accessed HERE.